20demayo Chapter 1217
Chapter 1217
"Wang Xianzhi, is he dead?"
After listening to Xu Shan's report, even Yuan Tiangang, who rarely lost his composure, suddenly asked a question during the court assembly.
You must understand, he was the Imperial Advisor of the reigning dynasty. Even if Mount Tai were to fall upon him, he could remain as calm as a still lake!
But at this moment...
After listening to Xu Shan's explanation, even he was shocked and blurted out.
One can imagine the true reaction of the other officials.
That was Wang Xianzhi, who boasted of being "second best in the world," but in reality, he was evenly matched with celestial beings and earthly demons.
Possessing the martial destiny of the Ming Dynasty and a near-five-colored true soul, he is a top-tier terrestrial immortal in this world.
Back then, even when Zhang Zhenren, Tianyi Dao, and Yuan Tiangang joined forces, they could only confine him to Wudi City by drawing a circle on the ground.
One man governs a city, for decades!
He single-handedly suppressed the imperial court and the martial arts world, forcing them to acknowledge the special existence of Martial Emperor City.
Yet this very same Saint-level expert, revered by Celestials and Earthly Demons alike, was now slain by Xu Shan, a mere man barely past twenty?
When questioned by Yuan Tiangang, Xu Shan answered clearly and forcefully, "Dead!"
"The severed head is now hung on the city wall of Ningbo Prefecture as a warning to others and to serve as a deterrent."
"In the Ming Dynasty, no matter who it is..."
"If anyone harbors the ambition to divide and conquer territory, I am willing to risk my life to fight them, and I will punish them no matter how far they are!"
"The same applies to those at the Saint rank, as well as to foreign races, powerful clans, and aristocratic families."
Upon hearing Xu Shan's words, Zhu Youwei, who had been standing there the whole time, despite her frail body, said "good" several times with great spirit.
Then, in front of everyone, he added: "Minister Xu, listen to my decree!"
"Xu Qing is hereby conferred the title of Duke of Zhenguo..."
As Zhu Youwei bestowed a series of titles upon him, the assembled officials stared wide-eyed in astonishment.
A first-rank marquis at the age of twenty?
This has never happened since the founding of the Ming Dynasty.
But then I thought about it.
Given Xu Shan's current achievements, it seems that this is only natural.
Without his existence, the Ming Dynasty would still be fragmented and divided among regional princes, right?
More importantly, his strength is undeniable.
A Saint-level expert capable of slaying terrestrial immortals, celestial beings, and earth demons is still so loyal to His Majesty.
In the mortal realm, it would be perfectly reasonable to grant him any position or title, right?
However, what was the purpose of bestowing upon him the title of "Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince"?
The Ming Dynasty doesn't have an heir apparent right now!
However, the thought that he would soon take over the Divine Mechanism was immediately relieved.
With the Celestial Master stepping down, isn't Xu Shan the next Imperial Preceptor?
Regardless of the circumstances... but what is certain now is that Xu Shan is second only to the emperor in the Ming Dynasty!
If Xu Shan heard this, he would definitely scoff disdainfully, "Under one person?"
"I don't like this position."
After Zhu Youwei publicly bestowed these titles, Xu Shan replied insincerely, "Your subject, Xu Shan, thanks Your Majesty for your great favor!"
"Xu Qing, the Northern Liang is in turmoil..."
After Zhu Youwei succinctly explained the current situation in Beiliang, Xu Shan immediately declared without hesitation: "Your subject is willing to go to Beiliang to expel the Tartars and barbarians and recover our lost lands."
Xu Shan's public statement reassured the assembled officials.
Given his previous invincible record, if he were willing to take on this task, then the Northern Liang would be secure.
At least, that was the prevailing opinion among the court officials.
After the court session, Xu Shan was summoned to the Imperial Study by Zhu Youwei.
When they were alone, Zhu Youwei was no longer the aloof and powerful Emperor Jingtai. She instantly transformed into a gentle woman, nestled in Xu Shan's arms, dressed in a dragon robe.
Having lived two lives, Master Xu has enjoyed countless cosplay experiences, yet he still has a special fondness for this dragon robe.
However, Zhu Youwei's health doesn't allow it right now!
After cuddling with him for a while and coaxing him to sleep, Xu Shan quietly left the Imperial Study.
Without lingering, he headed straight for Shenjishu with a slightly solemn expression.
"I just checked Youwei's health."
"The blood and qi surged, and the dantian became blocked."
"What happened?"
Upon meeting Yuan Tiangang, Xu Shan went straight to the point and asked him directly.
"It's still a soul curse!"
"But this time, it was the Heavenly Official who made the move."
"Who? Has the Heavenly Realm sent someone to the mortal realm again?"
Upon hearing this, Yuan Tiangang nodded solemnly and handed Xu Shan a detailed intelligence report.
After receiving it, Xu Shan read it quickly, skimming through it.
The more he looked, the colder and more stern his expression became.
The descendants of the Ming Dynasty imperial family were almost all killed because of Zhu Wushang's reincarnation.
Now only Zhu Youwei, Zhu Youning, and the nominally deposed Prince Ning remain.
For this reason, in order to regain control of the mortal realm and to spread its teachings, the Heavenly Realm has already sent a Heavenly Official to the mortal realm to secretly support the Tartars.
His purpose in coming here was to overthrow the "unruly" and defiant Ming Dynasty.
"With the Heavenly Official's personal intervention, His Majesty and Princess You Ning's 'soul curse' was blocked by the formations set up by the Heavenly Daoist and his entourage."
"But their bodies also suffered great damage."
After saying this, Yuan Tiangang solemnly said to Xu Shan, "We must stop the Tartars from advancing south."
"If the Tartars were to brazenly set up the Qitian Array for the Heavenly Official in the heart of the Ming Dynasty, neither the Divine Mechanism and the Heavenly Dao would have a good way to suppress the soul curse for His Majesty and Princess Youning."
Upon hearing this, Xu Shan, with a ruthless expression, immediately replied, "Then kill the Heavenly Official and solve the problem once and for all!"
"Gu Wuyai of the Tianyi Sect went north. He failed to succeed!"
"What's the opponent's strength?"
"Starting from the pseudo-saint level. But the Tartars have been collecting the things needed to restore his origin. We don't know what level his strength has reached yet."
【Celestial Official】 does not refer to any one person. Rather, it is a collective term for an organization in the Celestial Realm, much like the 'Imperial Guard'.
Based on the information gathered by Tianyi Dao and Shenji Shu so far, it should be two people.
"Barbarians worship earth demons; Tartars revere heavenly beings?"
"The two of them are working together to target the Ming Dynasty!"
"Damn it, they really are in cahoots."
Upon hearing this, Yuan Tiangang smiled wryly and said, "This scene is recorded in the history of the Ming Dynasty."
"Ok?"
“They had worked together during the Wutian era.”
"And now, the target is you—Xu Shan!"
When Yuan Tiangang finished speaking, cutting to the chase, Xu Shan's face did not show panic, but rather a ruthless and decisive expression.
"So, does that mean I absolutely have to go to Beiliang?"
"What I hate most is having enemies who are always on my mind."
"We're more used to nipping danger in the bud!"
After speaking with an air of dominance, Xu Shan looked at Yuan Tiangang and asked, "What's the deal with Youzhou and the Northern Liang Royal Palace?"
"Furthermore, how come the Ming Dynasty's most relied-upon red-coated cannons, steel knives, and fire dragons emerging from the water have appeared in large quantities in the hands of the Tartars and barbarians?"